About Microcurrent Therapy

The Science Behind Microcurrent Therapy by Matrix Therapy Products

Microcurrent (often called MENS) is extremely small pulsating currents of electricity. Microcurrent units produce electrical current just above the levels of the electrical exchanges that occur at a cellular level in the human body. This is why microcurrent is readily accepted by the body’s cells when applied to the body using conductive electrodes.

The theory behind microcurrent therapy is that by introducing a surface application of microamperes to the body to it can restore lost positive and negative electrons. These electrons are the very essence of every living cell. The body is able to utilize this outside source of minute electrical currents to accelerate its own healing mechanisms.

Microcurrent is a very low-level of electrical current that operates in the microamperes (amperes scale), and microcurrent therapy is the surface application of this current.

When cells are damaged they become electrically imbalanced. Because microamperes are close to the electrical level of the body’s cells, the application of microcurrent is able to help re-balance a cell’s electricity. This returns damaged cells to a normal state and initiates cellular activity. Electrical current naturally takes the path of least resistance through the body, which means at the site of an injury the body’s electrical current will go around the defect rather than through it.

It is an ongoing process to heal damaged cells, and microcurrrent - like the body's own electrical current - likes to go around the injury, taking the path of least resistance. However by applying microcurrent to the site of an injury, the microamperes current is able to pick up where the body fails. Through regular microcurrent treatments, the current is able to gradually close the gap and help heal the damaged area. This helps stimulate healing and will accelerate the body’s healing process, as well as increasing the level of ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate). It is important to note that each unit has varying specifications and it is necessary to match your device selection with your specific needs in order to improve the treatment outcomes. Devices such as the advanced biofeedback units (BEST devices) interact with the body, providing a dynamic treatment that typically results in shorter recovery time.

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate): ATP is considered by some biologists as the “currency of life.” It is a dynamic reservoir of energy that is integral to the function of nearly every cell in the human body. For instance ATP is used in muscle contraction, protein biosynthesis, and nerve transmission. One of the exciting elements of microcurrent therapy is that research has shown that application of microamperes can increase the level of ATP production by up to 500%. This is extremely important because at the site of an injury ATP supplies can often become diminished. Also, unlike other forms of electric therapy, microcurrent has a cumulative effect on ATP levels. Therefore by applying microcurrent ATP levels can be increased and in turn the body’s healing process accelerates.

The type of device used can affect the speed of results, biofeedback units (shown) can provide faster results than other types of devices.

Microcurrent Benefits
Microcurrent therapy has many known benefits and is an excellent foundation for other types of therapies. Some benefits include:

Improved circulation and dilated blood vessels.

Increased amount of red blood cells.

Nerve repair and healing without scar tissue.

Stimulating lymph circulation.

Elimination of wastes and toxins.

Increased ATP production up to 500% (ATP=adenosine triphosphate)

Increased excretion of fluids through the kidneys.

Lengthening the connective tissue, reducing or preventing formation of adhesion and reducing the danger of fibrosis.

Improved circulation and nutrition to joints.

Differs from TENS
Based on FDA classification, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) units covers the complete range of units that use electrical current applied through the skin. However, traditional TENS units are in the milliamperage range whereas microcurrent units are in the much lower microamperes range. Microcurrent devices start with a microampere (uA), which is one millionth of an amp, rather than a milliampere (mA), which is one thousandth of an amp. The popular TENS units in the higher milliamperage range are commonly used as a prescription for pain control as an alternative to prescription drugs. The difference between typical TENS units and microcurrent units is that the use of milliamperes blocks pain signals to the brain, verses microamperes which provide pain relief and stimulate healing.

Amperes Scale

Amp

A

1 ampere

stuns human nerve sheath

Milli

mA

1,000/1 ampere

stuns human nerve sheath

Micro

uA

1,000,000/1 ampere

just above human range

Nano
(millimicro)

nA

1,000/1 micro

human body range

Pico
(micromicro)

pA

1012/1 micro

human body range

Using Microcurrent Therapy
Microcurrent therapy can be used professionally by licensed practitioners or individually by anyone looking to maintain improved physical health. There are various over-the-counter units available that do not require a prescription, as well as a variety of prescription units that can purchased by practitioners or by individuals who have a prescription.